Why is Latin America’s ‘Pink Tide’ rising against Israel?
As Israel’s bombardment of Gaza enters its second month, world leaders have expressed concern over rising deaths and suspected human rights violations in the Palestinian territory.
But in the West, few have been as vocal – or as serious – in their criticism as leftist leaders in Latin America, many of whom came to power as part of the progressive wave known as the “pink tide.” Returns.
On October 31, Bolivia broke diplomatic relations with Israel, citing “the ongoing aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip”. Colombia and Chile reiterated that criticism, recalling their diplomats from Israel the same day.
“If Israel does not stop the massacre of the Palestinian people, we cannot be there,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on the social media platform X.
His message came minutes after his Chilean counterpart, Gabriel Boric, denounced the Israeli offensive as a “collective punishment on the Palestinian population in Gaza”.
Analysts said these acts of censure send a powerful signal from Latin America, a region that has largely maintained close, if sometimes tense, ties with Israel.
“It speaks to a Latin America that is not willing to tolerate such obvious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law,” said Mauricio Jaramillo, an international relations expert.
He said the sharp rhetoric from Latin American leaders stands in stark contrast to statements by other Western leaders, such as United States President Joe Biden, who have been more cautious in their criticism of Israel.
In response to Latin America’s diplomatic response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry called on Colombia and Chile to support the right “to defend their own citizens.” To do otherwise, Israel suggested, “would be to join with Venezuela and Iran in supporting Hamas terrorism”.
It also called Bolivia’s decision to cut ties completely a “surrender to terrorism.”
Bolivia, Chile and Colombia were not alone in their criticism. By Friday, the leftist government in Honduras had likewise pulled its ambassador from Israel for “consultations”. And after last week’s bombing of Jabalia, Gaza’s largest refugee camp, more left-leaning leaders from Latin America spoke out against the Israeli violence.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Argentina, for instance, home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, condemned the attack in a statement: “Nothing justifies the violation of international humanitarian law.”
